Bonnies take two from rival Canisius
March 30, 2005
BUFFALO, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure swept Little Three rival Canisius in a double-header Wednesday afternoon at Demske Sports Complex. The Bonnies jumped on the board early in the first game and went on to win 9-8, while they prevailed in Game Two, 10-2.
In Game One, St. Bonaventure scored four runs in each of the opening two innings en route to the 9-8 victory. The Griffs threatened late in the seventh, but sophomore closer Brian Pellegrini got Canisius pinch hitter R.J. Crawford to swing into a groundout to end the game.
A single from sophomore third baseman Kieran Malone plated the first run of the day, bringing in junior left fielder Dan Bratys who reached on a lead-off single. Sophomore shortstop Matt Mardeusz doubled to left, scoring Pellegrini and sophomore first baseman Joe Rizzo.
The Griffs plated one run in the bottom of the first, but the Bonnies' bats continued to heat up with four runs in the second behind a two-run homer from Rizzo.
Canisius tallied one run in each of the following three innings to cut the deficit to 8-4 heading into the fifth. The Bonnies tacked on an insurance run in the sixth, but let Canisius rally in a four-run seventh before squeaking by with the win.
Sophomore Matt Agostinelli remained undefeated on the mound at 2-0 on the season. Pellegrini picked up his second save in the victory. Canisius' Jordan Neufeld took the loss, allowing eight runs on seven hits in one inning's work.
Mardeusz led the Bonnies going 3-for-4, while Bratys and Rizzo went 2-for-3 on the game.
In the nightcap, again St. Bonaventure opened the game with a strong three-run first. Pellegrini's sacrifice fly plated Bratys to get the scoring started. A double and single from Mardeusz and Agostinelli, respectively, tacked on two more Bona runs.
Canisius chipped away, while the Bonnies held a 3-2 advantage heading into the seventh. St. Bonaventure exploded for six big runs on five hits in the final inning to put the game away.
Sophomore Michael Proctor earned the win and moved to 3-2 on the season. He allowed two runs on five hits, while striking out six in four innings. Pellegrini registered his third save, and second of the day.
Mardeusz and Rizzo had another solid game, both recording three hits to lead the Bonnies. Pellegrini and Agostinelli both went 2-for-4 as the Bonnies totaled 14 hits.
The sweep improved the Bonnies record to 9-7 on the season, while Canisius dropped to 1-13.
St. Bonaventure returns to action this weekend with a three-game series at Atlantic 10 rival Richmond. A double-header is slated for Saturday, April 2 at noon, while the third game will be played Sunday, April 3 at noon.
